How to get into trailer music
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- In this video, let's talk about how to get into trailer music. I want to share music business advice and all the information you need to get into trailer music and what to be aware of when it comes to this branch of the audio business.
Let's talk about different methods and what a performance rights organization is.
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Man, I really needed this... This part of music is so daunting for beginners like me. It´s such a huge world and makes me feel really small and not fit for it. Anyways, thanks a lot for this, man, you are a great inspiration
Chin up brother, I felt the same when I first started...there’s lots of opportunity if you put in the work!
Thanks, mate, i'm gonna give it a try
Check out Sync Academy...an amazing platform and community that got me going!
Will do, thanks a Lot!!!
thank you so much! Keep working on it and you will get there!
Bless you! After ten amazing months in sync libraries, I am subbing to my first trailer house on Monday. This is serendipity at its best! Always on point, again...your content humbles ne!
awesome to hear that! Thank you so much and all the best! :)
Alex man, I've been watching a lot of your videos recently and it is so cool to see your honesty. I truly value your honesty and also find it quite funny as some might be offended😂.
"If you don't know what to say... shutup." Best advice ever!
Great work Alex, I love your videos and your work.
Great Tips Alex! Thank you for sharing all those!
Great video Alex! Thank you very much for all the suggestions. I'm composing currently for video games but want to start with trailer music too and this video was so good for someone like me :D
Thank you Victor, go for it and good luck! :)
Great video Alex and thank you for sharing the really practical information. I am so thankful for the open and caring trailer music community. Thanks again for your contribution brother!
Marshall
Thank you so much!
Thanks so much for this Alex. I'm writing a lot and I feel as though I'm getting better with time and practice, both in arrangements and mixing/mastering. Something that might be good to expand on for a further video is taking stock of your material and making the best decisions about what is worthy of putting forth and what must be held back for more work, remixing or just not worth pushing. And also perhaps a discussion about the realities of what libraries you really kinda need to seriously compete. It's nice to say it's all in the writing but I think there are realities of what tools are a must to seriously compete. Thanks for all you do here!
Thank you so much! Yes, I can definitely see a video of libs that will help to improve writing for trailer music.
Rewatching this. 🙌🏾
Very informal and awesome. This is probably my favorite video on UA-cam at the moment
Wow, thank you so much!
I'm just getting started. Your tips help a lot. Thanks Alex! Grüße aus Wien
Thank you so much and best of luck!
Subscribed, this really help. Thanks
Thank you!
This is amazing information it took me a long time to learn these and you have it all here in one video.
Great vid!
Thank you so much Cody!
Great advice/tips Alex! Thank you!
Thank you Michael!
Really valuable insights here! I‘m struggeling with all the different subjects one have to keep in mind, wanting to get some music out there and make some money from it. I love creating sounds and music, but when I think of PROs, taxes and all that stuff it feels kind of overwhelming and I don‘t even know where to start.... I commited to just concentrate on the music and on makeing some awsome tracks first and don‘t let thinking about these things keep me away from doing that.
It really helps out beginners like me to know, that there are people like you, sharing their knowledge and experience. Thanks a lot and cheers from Cologne :-)
Hey and thank you! There is actually nothing to worry about taxes and PROs. As long as you got an ITIN number that you can apply for, you are good to go. Signing up with a PRO like BMI is easy. The hard part if waiting for several month to get that ITIN. I would also try contacting a tax consultant if they would be willing to answer a few questions (they should have knowledge about the music industry though). Maybe there is a solution that you can simply fill out a signed paper that you will be paying your taxes in Germany.
@@AlexPfeffer Thanks a lot for the further details! Helps to take away some of the worries :)
Alex, you nailed it... great video!
Thank you so much!
Thanks! Cool video quality and nice picture!
Thank you so much!
Great video Alex. I think the competition in this field has getting huge. Wondering if it is still worth it :)
everything is worth it, you just need to stick to it because this is what 99% are not doing. 99% would rather post their phone number on Hans Zimmers Facebook wall in hope to get a gig than putting in all the hard work :) There is no fast money in no branch of the audio industry. May it be games, trailers, arrangement work or ads. It all needs dedication. This is why 99% will fail, because they think short-term rather than long-term.
@@AlexPfeffer Thanks for the reply! You are completely right about that. I think this applies to all fields you want to gain success. Seeing your channel growing is the best evidence ;) thanks for sharing your opinion and inspiring us. Take care Alex!
True there is no shortcut to anything
Loved this video! Thank you sir!
Thank you Ryan!
Alex, this video is gold. What awesome reminders especially the "you're not the center of the universe". Honestly, it's a little pesky tendency that really tends to pop it's ugly head out more than once, wether we say it or not. I'd love to get into trailer music some day. Thanks for the reminders about mainly loving what you do but also for the practical advice.
Peace man, thanks again for everything and congrats on the new YT channel as well.
Ariel
Thank you so much, really appreciate your comment!
Hallo Alex sehr gutes und informatives Video. Eine Frage jedoch, ich bin bei der GEMA registriert, in wie fern trifft dein letzter Punkt dann in meinem Fall auf mich zu?
Danke im vorraus🙂
Hey, danke Dir! Wenn du bei der Gema bist, brauchst du dich soweit ich weiss darum nicht zu kümmern, weil deine Einnahmen ja quasi aus Deutschland kommen.
@@AlexPfeffer cool danke 🙂
What do you mean at 9:00 min? Dont understand
I’m recently writing an album for a los angeles based label. Its a commercial music album -and im from italy. Im with prs as Pro.
PRS is a UK Pro so I think everything is fine. What I was trying to say is, if you are from outside the US and you sign up with BMI for example (a US pro) then they are withholding 30% for tax reasons until you got a US tax ID.
@@AlexPfeffer Hello Alex, thank you for the great video.
A further question. Does the tax also apply to upfront fees if I don't have a US tax number?
Would you recomend joining a US PRO or is the one in the own country also fine (GEMA in my case)?
@@jonahfriederich1685 Hey, if the trailer house is in the US and you are in Germany then every invoice would be without tax. However, you have to pay taxes in Germany for the amount received. I wouldn't recommend joining GEMA unless you are absolutely sure that you compose for trailer/tv music anyway. As soon as you want to get into the games world or anything else, you will get difficulties, because GEMA collects basically everything you do, even from your own website. I am aware that there are exception sheets available to exclude work but I don't know anyone who trusts those.
@@AlexPfeffer Thank you very much for the detailed answer! Have a nice day.
great Tutorial
Thank you Paul!
Very interesting content! I didn't know about the ITIN. Do you need to have everything legally prepared before starting your journey or you can do it as you're achieving things? The legal stuff is what scares me most :P.
Also, when doing the social media way, do you recommend to do it in English or your own language?
Now I understand why are so many reaction videos...
Thanks again!
Thank you! I think best is to have your legal stuff sorted out BEFORE an actual release because your tracks have to be registered with your PRO on release date. Also it may be worth taking care of the ITIN as early as possible. It took 9 months for me to get mine. However, make sure to talk to a tax consultant because things may have changed. I know that someone had a chance to fill out some form stating that tax will be paid in Germany ... however, it was a rare case so I didn't want to put this into the video.
Thanks alex for such a great video....so much useful info packed so concisely and accurately. I have a couple questions, hoping you could answer. Q.1 Is it mandatory to be registered with a PRO before any Trailer/Production music library can accept your tracks? Q.2. Since the PRO in my country i.e. India sucks at doing their job, can i register with ASCAP/BMI/PRS etc. being an Indian resident. thanks for the video again...i m thoruoghly enjoying your videos
As for 1. YES, you have to be part of a PRO because otherwise you won't get any royalties. as for 2. Yes you can sign up for BMI for example but you are not a US citizen so you most likely need an ITIN as mentioned in the video. This can take a really long time to get one. It took 9 months to get mine.
@@AlexPfeffer Thanks for the quick reply alex. really appreciated.
@@princegrwl You're welcome!
Hello Alex, as usual this video is very interesting, but this video has no subtitle and due to my level of english I have some difficulties to follow, ... will this video be subtitled so so that I can more easily understand your precious advice ... thank you ... continue your fantastic work ... 🙂
Christophe, thank you so much. Yes, you are right. I actually see right now that YT changed the way how to handle subtitles and since I script most of my vids, at least for these videos I can do that. Will update that video asap :)
@@AlexPfeffer Thank you so much Alex 🙂
@@christopheleguen1222 sure thing! :)
Hello Alex, thank you for all your videos! I have a question and it's about the registration of my composition.
I'm beginning to send samples of my work to labels and I don't know if I need to register all that work in BMI (my PRO in this moment) before sending my work to they. How was your processes when you started to send your first works to labels?
Thank you very much :D
Sorry totally missed your question. Usually if you submit work to a label and your album gets published, the company does it for you.
Hey my friend! 🤣
Yo hey! Hahaha!
Lets be honest here, you can only get in to the industry if trailer companies contact you, and chance of that happening is 1%. you will accomplish nothing by stalking and sending messages to the composers or owners of certain company.
Trailer music is oversaturated and everything sounds the same, every single artist sound the same as everyone else, there is no art in trailer music just same songs with same structure, same chords, and same libraries. Don't get me wrong I do not produce this kind of music, but I listen to it, and I laugh when someone say; I have my own signature sound or something like that 😂
Let's be honest here, composers from the industry will never help you to get into the business, because they are afraid to lose job, and this kind of videos are made only for profit and attention, never to inform you.
I know people like to hear lies how everyone can be successful, but truth is that luck is everything, I know dozens of composers who invested years and years, and sound better than most of the "professionals", but they never had luck.
I don't agree with you, because I know trailer companies that are constantly looking out for artists. In fact, I have experienced firsthand when a CEO asked me about specific artists!
The other thing I do not agree with you about is that all trailer music sounds the same. Sorry to say, but this is as BS as I would say all blues music is the same because it is all I-IV-V or jazz music is the same because of everyone noodling a solo and playing II-V-I progressions.
Whenever I check trailer websites I hear covers, I hear RnB, Epic orchestral music, sound effect-based music, and yes, bramms and pings, but if you clearly say that all trailer music sounds the same you just repeat like how the best DAW is Logic. It is plain BS and if you would sit down and listen to new tracks released, you would know that!
You also probably didn't understand the meaning of signature sounds. This is not about putting something in there that represents YOU but gives a unique character TO THE TRACK itself such as the organ did for Interstellar or like how John Williams makes use of the way he arranges the orchestra.
I agree with you, the trailer music market is overrated, so is pop music, video games music, advertising music, tv, and movie music, so is ... well, basically everything on this planet. Let's say, it is all equally hard.
Last but not least, I am sorry about your buddy not making it, but if you really think that being the best is what matters, then you are again wrong. For example, I know what I can NOT do, but I also know what I CAN do. Can I write like John Williams? NO! Can I write a decent trailer track and give a f*ck about my ego and come up with what people and companies want to hear? YES!
By the way, you said: Let's be honest here, composers from the industry will never help you to get into the business ... do you realize which channel you are on? I almost do NOTHING ELSE instead of helping composers to get in the business! The only thing I can't stand is people directly asking for a CEO's phone number. This is like not willing to put the effort into it and going for the short route!
I hope your life will get better
Hello my friend, could you give me the phonenr from Two Steps From Hell, please? Also, I will befriend you on Facebook, too!! :D Thanks for the laugh
*it seems I wasn´t the first one to make such a great joke..
hahahha, loved that! :D
Wow Alex! Thanks a lot for this videos, this is something that is not easy to find and having a pro speaking openly about it is really cool!
Thank you so much Miguel!
Great video as always. Thank you for sharing! Looking forward to your next video. If you have time, I would love to see a Black Friday sale recommendation video from you - featuring your top recommendations.
Thank you! :) Yes, let's say what will be on sale :D
I just don’t really know where to start. I have a background in classical music and Jazz but composing seems so daunting! Where do you start with this infinite amount of knowledge and options. What sounds do i need, what hardware do i need, should i start coping other composers? There is so much to it and this !
Great video Alex! I can't believe It's just now that I'm seeing it.
Thanks for this. Some very useful information here:)
Sehr gutes Video! Geanu das, was mich gerade interessiert! Aber krass, wie sehr sich die Ansichten teilweise unterscheiden. Ich habe mittlerweile zu einigen Trailer composer kontakt aufgenommen und jeder hat irgendwie eine andere Meinung, wenn es darum geht, wie viele Publisher man mit wie vielen Tracks kontaktieren sollte.^^
Danke Dir! Naja, klar, du kannst massig Leute anschreiben, aber es hilft nicht, falls 2 ode r3 Firmen interessiert sind. Wenn mich jmd anschreiben würde und dann sagt: Ja ok, sorry, bin jetzt woanders ... dann denke ich mir: Ok gut, viel Glück. Wenn diese Person sich wieder meldet, denke ich mir: Ach der, mach mal ... deine Aussage ist ja eh nicht sicher.
Great video as always! Btw, in the end did you mean “Take Care and YOU will see me in the next video”. Sorry bad pun 🤦♂️
Yet hardly anyone knows about my real powers 😂
Hey Alex, This is a great video. I already signed up with A PRO and I'm currently trying to put an album together. I think I'm' stuck on where to release my album. If I send it to a trailer music company can I upload my album on my own website? Even if it's for exclusive licensing?
Hey, thank you! I think you should try it to send it to everyone, but once at a time. And no, if you released your album with a trailer company, you are not allowed to distribute it in any other way unless you have an agreement with your company.
How do you actively "monetize" a video - doesn't that just kick in after 1000 views or something?
Nope, additionally to the 1000 subs, you need 4000 watched hours of your videos.
Great content Alex, I was looking for this kind of information and I've stumbled upon it by chance! Excuse my confusion though, you mentioned that my track might get licensed for TV/Radio/Netflix and etc. This got me confused, because aren't I applying for move trailers? Or is the term "trailer music" a broad term that includes all these types of music and trailers. Also if u can post more about this aspect of the industry, I think it will benefit a lot of aspiring composers like me! Thank you!
Yes, it would b und production music and most trailer tracks will also be offered as music for TV promos (which are basically movie trailers on TV :))
great video! Thank you for the insight !
You're welcome man! :)
Awesome video! Thanks so much. I do have a question please:
In order to have regular success as a trailer music composer do I have to live or move to LA? Or is more something that can do done solely by email, phone calls and zoom meetings anywhere in the world?
Thanks again!
Thank you. You absolutely can live whereever you want. I am located in Hamburg Germany for 15 years now. However I took the opportunity to travel to LA in 2012 that was a bit of a business trip to meet all kinds of awesome people. But in short, you can work from wherever you want. Just be visible throughout the web and work on your skills.
@@AlexPfeffer Wonderful. Thanks so much for that insight.
@@santiagovalenciamusic sure thing! :)
Thank you. Just started looking into this a few weeks ago!
You're welcome, hope the video was helpful a bit.
@@AlexPfeffer definitely!
Insightful! Thank you Alex!
Thank you! You are welcome! :)
Oh my gosh! Tuning in. Very excited for this video.
Thank you Daniel, I hope I don't disappoint!
@@AlexPfeffer I just finished the video right now. I was inspired from it! A lot. As a musician I'm already practicing making trailer music as a passion. I use all of Keep Forest plug-ins. (Devastator) full edition by the way because of your channel as well haha. Anyway, I was inspired because you made me think of uploading trailer music demos on my Instagram as giveaways and I am now brainstorming how I can create an album to prepare myself for the world outside. Thank you Alex! More content like this on the subject of trailers! Would love a future video on some complex cinematic BRAAM breakdowns too!
Excellent advice as always!
Thank you David!
Excellent video and info Alex. Appreciate you sharing this often confusing subject matter. Cheers.
Thanks so much! Glad it was helpful. You maybe have any other questions coming to your mind?
@@AlexPfeffer Actually one did come to mind yesterday while i was thinking about this stuff.
When writing trailer music samples, we should be writing in a wide variety of styles, correct? Not just "Epic Action Super Hero" styles. We should try to provide something for a wide range of movie genres. I am correct in assuming this aren't I Alex? This subject has not been talked about by anyone i've watched/followed on UA-cam to date.
And if this indeed the case, then when compiling a sample EP/CD, should you put all similar genres in separate collections, or is it OK to compile all the genres you've covered together in one collection?
This question has actually been on my mind for a long time. Never got around to asking anyone for advice on it before though. :)
Thx for your time man.
@@marklarm Thanks for that question. Of course, in general, the more styles you can write, the better it is. However, when you release an album you may want to make sure to make it "Epic Drama" or "Emotional Piano" or "Haunting Drones" or whatever. Simply, because trailer cutters most likely find an epic drama track much quicker on an epic drama album. Of course the probably work with tags etc. ... but unless you are not a long time established composer everybody knows you may want to work in favor of the movie or tv topic.
@@AlexPfeffer TY for that answer Alex.
So then, would working in favor of the movie or tv topic change anything as far as what kinds of samples you create? i.e. length, genre, titles, orchestration, etc...
Is there any place one could find this kind of info online? Like a "guidelines to writing sample music for TV & Movies" kind of thing?
TY again for your time kind sir.
@@marklarm Actually not, because this is a decision that the trailer house will make when working together. The full album approach I mention in the video may be great for first contact, a first chance, etc. ... but the more you are working together with a trailer house they will give you a brief, for example, if you are interested to write a family comedy album, mystery or an epic drama album. Then you will decide about track length, instrumentation and so on.
If u can’t do it, teach it!
can you elaborate?